Feature Length Films

Mr. Khan’s Review on ‘Wajood’ (2018)

Mr. Khan's Reviews

A review on Pakistani Rom-Thriller Feature Length Film, ‘Wajood’ (2018). The Production House is Jawed Sheikh Films While Its Distributors are Saga-Hits and Geo Films. Its Music is composed by Sahir Ali Bagga.

 

 

+ Crew

  • Written & Directed by Javed Sheikh
  • Co-Written by Baber Kashmiri
  • Cinematography by Kelvin Keehde and Asif Khan
  • Edited by Asad Zaidi
  • Produced by Momal Sheikh and Shehzad Sheikh

 

 

+ Note

Wajood is a comeback directorial film by Javed Sheikh. The previous film directed by him was Khulay Asmaan Kay Neechay (2008).The film was released on Eid ul-Fitr. Principal photography was shot most of it in Pakistan and Turkey while some parts of Greece.

 

 

+ Main Cast

  1. Danish Taimoor as Faizan
  2. Saeeda Imtiaz as Arzoo
  3. Aditi Singh as Jessica
  4. Javed Sheikh as Detective Steve Rock
  5. Ali Saleem as Q / Arzoo’s Friend
  6. Asad Mehmood as Faizan’s Friend

 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

+ Supporting Cast

  1. Faiza Khan as Faizan’s Friend Fiancee
  2. Nadeem Baig as Arzoo’s Father
  3. Shaheen Khan as Arzoo’s Mother
  4. Shahid Hameed as Faizan’s Father
  5. Frieha Altaf as Faizan’s Mother

 

 

+ Plot

Faizan is a handsome pilot of a private jet. He falls in love with Arzoo at first sight and would do anything to win her heart. Then there’s Jessica, who has an obsession to have Imran all to herself by any means necessary.

 

 

+ High Points

i – The lead star, Danish Taimoor as Faizan has given a satisfying performance to the audience and critics alike. His scenes were entertaining. Other Honorable Mentions: Ali Saleem and Saeeda Imtiaz.

ii – The direction of photography has been done a beautiful job.

iii – The comic relief character of Q played by Ali Saleem was funny at times and did its job well as per the writer’s expectations.

iv – The songs, most of them are pleasant to listen to.

v – The locations of the shoot, especially of the songs were ‘Eye Candy’ to watch.

 

 

+ Low Points

i – The second half of the film is dull and pointless! Yes, I can understand that the writer wanted a thriller element after the interval but why? Why can’t we made this film and enjoyable as the first half? And even if you wanted this film to have thriller then be sure that you have something really interesting to tell and show. But what we ended up was with a love sick attractive girl, Jessica who seemed like a character taken from another genre film who clearly didn’t fit with this one.

ii – Weak supporting characters were written, they hardly made any impression to the audience.

iii – This film is a combination of Lollywood-Bollywood style film. Perhaps this is what Danish Taimoor wants to be recognized by as he wants to differentiate himself than all other lead actors; but would this kind of film style be helpful to our Pakistani Film Industry Revival to grow? Mehrunisa V Lub U (2017) is a good example for a successful film whereas most of them including Chan Aye Na (2017) by Syed Noor were not appreciated.

 

 

+ Overall

Wajood is a cheap rip-off from any low budget thriller film where its second half is a complete snoozer.

 

Rate: 2.0 out of 5 stars

Short Films & Documentaries

Mr. Khan’s Review on ‘Phir Aap’ (2017)

Mr. Khan's Reviews

A review on Pakistani Comedy Short Film, ‘Phir Aap’ (2017). The Assistant Directors are Saad Baloch and Agha Ahad Husain while it’s Digital Colorist by Ashar Khalid.

 

 

+ Crew
I. Directed, Written & Production Design by Shayan Shahid

II. Cinematography by Raafay Israr

III. Makeup & Hairstyling by Huma

IV. Editing, Animation & Sound Mixing by Mustafa Jalali

V. Co-Sound Mixing by Shaima Wajab and Hasan Mujtabah Jafri.

 

 

+ Note

Phir Aap‘s cinematographer, Raafay Israr happens to be also the lead vocalist of his music band ‘The Evolution’.

There is a cameo by Agha Ahad Husain. The two main characters are real-life married couple.

 

 

+ Full Cast
1. Marya Saad as Maria / Raana / Bano
2. Saad Zameer Fareedi as Usman

 

 

+ Plot

Usman meets Maria on a blind date and falls in love at first sight. However, Maira’s ‘sisters’ are the ones who he should be concerned of before meeting her.

 

 

+ High Points
i – A wonderful performance by Marya Saad in multiple roles. The performances by the duo, makes the film more exciting. Other Honorable Mentions: Saad Fareedi

ii – The production design is well lit and colorful, just like the film is.

iii – The plot is comic, filled with fun.

iv – The costumes design is good, suited with the characters.

v – The illustration & animation is nicely done; an extra effort is put in.

 

+ Low Points
i – The time length was short for such a light comedy film.

ii – Although it is a different idea but cannot say that it is something new to watch.

 

 

+ Overall
Phir Aap is a light rom-com with its attributes of being a film to remember.

 

 

Rate: 4.0 out of 5 stars

 

TV series

Mr. Khan’s Review on ‘Sitara Aur Mehrunissa’ (1992)

Mr. Khan's Reviews

A review on Pakistani classic Drama TV Series, ‘Sitara Aur Mehrunissa’ (1992). Its Production and Distribution is done by NTM. Its Co-Producers are Rana Ghani and Anwer Khan whereas the Set Design is done by Zehra Jabeen.

 

 

+ Crew

  • Directed by Zark
  • Written by Anwar Maqsood
  • Lighting by Affan Akther
  • Costumes Designer by Tee Jays
  • Produced by Zaheer Khan

 

 

+ Note

Sitara Aur Mehrunissa aired on NTM in 1992. In total it consists of 11 episodes. The location for the shoot was Gulshan e Maymar, Karachi. The team behind its OST, song and lyrics are Javed Allahditta, Wahab Khan, Zohra Nigah and Nayyara Noor.

One of the lead characters has to go through a mental turmoil whereas other one has to suffer at the hands of her spouse. Sitara Aur Mehrunissa is Atiqa Odho’s debut TV drama series.

This drama serial was very popular at its original run and was screened during prime time television.

 

 

+ Main Cast

  1. Atiqa Odho as Sitara
  2. Sania Saeed as Mehrunissa
  3. Sajid Hassan as Ramis Hussain
  4. Anwar Maqsood as Sitara’s Father

 

xxxxxxx

 

 

+ Supportive Cast

  1. Azra Sherwani as Roshan Ara Begum
  2. Akbar Subhani as Irfan
  3. Latif Kapadia as Shakiluddin
  4. Nasreen Shagufta as Bahen (Maid)

 

 

+ Plot

Sitara & Mehrunnisa (cousins) go along friendly but orphan Mehrunnisa has often faced hardships and taunting remarks by her aunt, Sitara’s mother. Ramis, a young apprentice of their father is interested in Mehrunissa whereas Sitara is left heartbroken. After these two girls’ marriages, both of them have to face some severe problems which change their lives forever.

 

 

+ High Points

i – The entire cast gave a very satisfying performance on their behalf.

ii – We have a number of strong ‘Star Power’ such as Atiqa Odho, Sania Saeed, Sajid Hassan including Anwar Maqsood as well.

iii – There was mild humor to lighten up the mood of the viewers.

iv – I am pleased to see the total number of episodes is only 11 to watch.

 

 

+ Low Points

i – The story & the plot are … such a bore! It’s possible that perhaps at the time of its release, the story might be new and an inspiration to young adult females on how to handle such issues but now we have already watched many TV dramas similar to it.

ii – The characters are written just to fulfill the temperament of their respected roles but not to remember them by.

iii – There were times where this drama was so dull that I seriously considered of stop watching it (but had to for review purpose).

iv – After loss of the father, the mother is nowhere to be found or assumed dead as she never appears in further episodes. No explanation is given.

v – It was expected by its slow tone that the ending would be at best, average. But by the time finale came, I was least bothered.

 

 

 

+ Overall
Although Sitara Aur Mehrunissa has a strong cast and considered a classic drama but it is in best interest for the viewers to be left forgotten.

 

 

 

Rate: 1.50 out of 5 stars

 

TV series

Mr. Khan’s Review on ‘Amrit Aur Maya’ (2017)

Mr. Khan's Reviews

A review on Pakistani Drama TV Soap Series, ‘Amrit Aur Maya’ (2017). The Production House is Gold Bridge Media whereas its OST is sung by Sahir Ali Bagha.

 

 

+ Crew

  • Directed by Shafqat Shah Moinuddin
  • Cinematography by Hasnain Husain
  • Written by Sidra Sehar Imran, Robina Bilal & Hasan Umer
  • Edited by Sajjad Iqbal & Ebad Khan

 

 

+ Note
‘Amrit Aur Maya’ aired on Express Entertainment from 27th Mar 2017 – ? Up till now have watched total 51 episodes. It is a series of dramatic events full of love and sacrifice with a twinge of rebound, hatred and revenge.

 

 

+ Main Cast

  1. Shameen Khan as Amrit
  2. Sabahat Sarhandi as Maya
  3. Yasir Ali Khan as Wahab
  4. Rana Majid as Showbi
  5. Benazir Khan Chohan as Mansha (Wahab’s Cousin)
  6. Hasan Khan as Zawal (Amrit’s Co-worker)

 

xxxxxxx

 

+ Supportive Cast

  1. Ajab Gul as Amrit’s & Showbi’s Father
  2. Rashid Farooqui as Shoaib (Maya’s Father)
  3. Tanveer Jamal as Wahab’s Father
  4. Hina Sheikh Rizvi as Swaleha Khatoon (Amrit’s Mother)
  5. Parveen Somro as Amrit & Maya’s Khala

 

 

+ Plot

It focuses on the lives of two step sisters, Amrit & Maya who are very different to each other. Wahab, a handsome guy mutually loves Amrit. However, Mansha also loves Wahab and is the only choice of Wahab’s mother for Mansha to be her daughter-in-law. Whereas Maya (Mansha’s best friend & Amrit’s step sister) has fallen in love with Wahab as well and would do anything, go at any length to have him as her own.

 

 

+ High Points
i – A warm welcome to Shameen Khan as Amrit, to TV industry. She definitely made her mark with this lead role and performed good as innocent sweet sister. Other Honorable Mentions: Tanveer Jamal, Ajab Gul and Sabahat Sarhandi.

ii – Entry of Ajab Gul was a good choice as to play one of the main supporting roles. He is one of the well-known and great actors of our film & TV industry.

 

 

+ Low Points

i – The main plot starts very similar to Pakistani TV soap series Sangdil (2016) but then the story changes into being very simple, slow and drags unnecessarily. After 6th episode, the interest level started to regain from 35th episode which is a shame to see how many waste of episodes came in between.

ii – The subplots are as lame as the main plot.

iii – The characters are mostly written as annoying and boring.

iv – Below average quality tech guys (BTS team) hired to do the job

v – This soap series score is not good at all.

vi – Makeup & Hairstyling is so-so.

vi – Rare to see some good fresh faces.

 

 

+ Overall
If being dull, slow and a number of pointless episodes starts to pile up which isn’t obnoxiously loud enough, Amrit Aur Maya makes sure to get in a category of forgettable soap series as well.

 

 

Rate: 0.50 out of 5 stars

Theatre Plays

Mr. Khan’s Review on ‘Sinbad’ (2017)

Mr. Khan's Reviews

A review on Pakistani Comedy theatre play, ‘Sinbad’ (2017). The music is originally composed by Arshad Mahmud while the producer of this play, Rauf Afridi is a multi-talented person who is also a terrific actor, writer and director.

 

 

+ Crew

  • Written, Lighting & Directed by Uzma Sabeen
  • Sound Mixing by Ashraf Bhatti
  • Set Design by Javed Yousuf
  • Costumes & Getup by Pervaiz Iqbal
  • Produced by Rauf Afridi

 

 

+ Note
There have been many works based on the fictional character, ‘Sinbad’. In short, he is a sailor and the hero of a story-cycle of Middle Eastern origin; he is described as living in Baghdad, during the Abbasid Caliphate. During his voyages throughout the seas east of Africa and south of Asia, he has fantastic adventures going to magical places, meeting monsters, and encountering supernatural phenomena.

Other characters such as ‘Umro Ayaar’, is taken from “The Enchantment of Senses” series by Mohammad Jah in Tilism E Hoshruba; as a Benarasi Thug. In Urdu, the word ‘Ayaar’ means cunning. His signature element was a ‘Zambeel’, a basket which carries anything. He has pulled out armies from it. Umro is one of the most famous storybook characters along with Rustam and Sohrab, Aladdin, Sindbad, Chacha Chakkan and many more. The character ‘Al Capone’ is the only one who is based on real life person aka Alphonse Gabriel Capone (17 Jan 1899 – 25 Jan 1947) also known by the nickname ‘Scarface’, was an American mobster, crime boss and businessman who attained fame during the Prohibition era as the co-founder and boss of the Chicago Outfit. His seven-year reign as crime boss ended when he was 33 years old. In last, the character ‘Angloo’ is a word actually which refers to people of mixed races.

The writer didn’t just use some of the characters names randomly but from famous works / real life as mentioned above.

 
+ Full Cast:

  1. Kashif Hussain as Sindbad
  2. Tehreem Shafiq as Shaheen
  3. Ahmer Hussain as Al Capone
  4. Shabana Hassan as Malika
  5. Hammad Khan as Angloo / Umro Ayaar
  6. Fraz Chhotani as Bangloo
  7. Nadir Hussain as Badshah
  8. Essa Khan as Mustafa
  9. Raheel Siddique as Gidola aka Giant Bird (Cameo)

 

 

 + Plot
To win Shaheen’s hand in marriage, Sinbad needs to travel thousand miles of sea to get to an island where he could bring back ‘Unique’ treasure to her father’s kingdom.

 

+ High Points
i – Remarkable performance by Fraz Chhotani as Bangloo. The last performance I watched of his was of Khaled Ahmed Sb’s play ‘Sher Khan Ka Makan’ in which he played a flirt old man character. Though Fraz has directed a couple of plays too but his performances of comic characters are really well put and here too made his firm stand in playing a memorable jinn role as ‘Bangloo’.

ii – Ahmer Hussain as Al Capone performed nicely and it’s always fun to watch his comic performances.

iii – Lighting is been handled wonderfully.

iv – The costumes & getup were taken care well.

v – Some of the punch lines were add up some good humor.

vi – Songs, dances and Live interactions with the children (audience) boasts up the interest to watch kids’ play.

 

+ Low Points
i – Most of the jokes were flat and lacked good, keen story line. Though the target audience for such plays is children, however they too were finding hard time in laughing out.

ii – Since the character ‘Sinbad / Sindbad’ is a very popular among children & adults alike where many written works, comics, films, cartoons and theatre plays have been conducted based on him therefore it should have been much easier for the writer to make an interesting story line up for the play than to make a play from the scratch.

iii – Lack of good performances indicated as though the cast themselves were not taking their play seriously as to say it’s a ‘Children’s Play’.

iv – ‘Type Cast’ roles performed by Nadir Hussain, Hammad Khan & Tehrim Shafiq. Their performances were okay but did not caught audience attention towards them.

v – The song may have been originally composed by Arshad Mahmud but it was not exciting nor matched with the theme of Sinbad’s era. I am aware that there were several mentions of modern era objects in the play but try to stick with the theme of Sinbad’s original era if the music is to be originally composed. Unless the play is entirely based on modern time period including costumes and set design.

vi – I believe that the set design could have improved a lot … if it is shown for commercial basis.

vii – The most stimulating character should have been the lead character, Sinbad. It is necessary for the ‘Kids Play’, as it is based on him & his adventurous tasks. His scenes, performance should have been the most fascinating to watch but unfortunately it was not so.

viii – Due to product placements, in-house marketing materials, the sponsors made sure that the audience remember the name ‘Ballay, Ballay’ instead of ‘Sinbad’ when they exit the theatre house.

 
+ Overall
Although Sinbad is a universally loved character, but its play suffers from mediocre humor and too simple story line for the audience to find difficult time to enjoy.

 
Rate: 2.25 out of 5 Stars

Theatre Plays

Mr. Khan’s Review on ‘Bijli, Pyar Aur Aba Jan’ (2016)

Mr. Khan's Reviews

A review on Pakistani Comic theatre play, ‘Bijli, Pyar Aur Aba Jan’ (2016). Its English adaptation is done by Kulsoom Aftab.

 

+ Crew

  • Written & Directed by Kulsoom Aftab

 

 

+ Note

Originally Bijli, Pyar Aur Aba Jan is a Peter Shaffer’s play ‘Black Comedy’ whereas in Urdu it was adapted by Shoaib Hashmi. The play former title is a pun. Due to a short circuit, the stage is illuminated to reveal the characters in a “blackout”.

This review may contain SPOILERS!

 

Full Cast:

  1. Muneeb Baig as Abbas
  2. Naz as Ambereen
  3. Mujtuba Rizvi as Khurdam
  4. Aamir Naqvi as Abul Hasan the Colonel
  5. Chand Bawani as Shakila
  6. Kulsoom Aftab as Nelo
  7. Zaman Abbasi as Fattu
  8. Sohail as Seith Sahab

 
+ Plot

Abbas is a young sculptor and his beautiful rich fiancée Ambereen have borrowed some expensive, antique furniture from his neighbor Khurdam’s flat without his permission in order to impress a millionaire art collector coming to view Abbas’s work and Ambereen’s father Colonel Abul Hasan. When the power fails, Khurdam returns early while Abbas’s ex-mistress Nelo shows up unexpectedly where things slide into disaster for him.

 
+ High Points

i – Naz is truly a remarkable actress. Any praises spoken on her acting skills would be less. She usually takes those roles which are difficult to perform and most often in supporting roles. In this play, however her character is of Ambereen, Abbas’s debutante fiancée and in a lead role.

ii – Khurdam played by Mujtuba Rizvi is very amusing and nicely performed. His role is actually well written to make him an interesting character to watch.

iii – Chand Bawani played a good supporting character with interesting punch lines. I liked her performance especially her staring in the darkness. Other Honorable Mentions: Aamir Naqvi.

iv – The set design was simple yet constructed in a different manner with upper room.

v – I find it a very interesting concept of this English play, ‘Black Comedy’. Something new to watch and enjoy.

 

+ Low Points

i – Even though Muneeb Baig’s performance as Abbas was above average, one could say it to be as ‘Good’. But he appeared desperate to make audience laugh by acting comedy. By trying to make audience laugh since one has a comic role, the efforts that you have pour in goes against you. Let the situation make the people laugh on their own.

ii – On several occasions when matches, lighters or torches are lit, the lights grow dimmer of the stage lights. This needed to be explained properly, to why during complete darkness the lights are brighter for the audience?

iii – There were times when the performers walked on stage with the illusion as that the stage is really fallen with pitch black darkness, that one cannot judge or see where exactly they are going or what obstacles would they be facing during their struggle. Yet in this same play, the performers walked very quickly and knew exactly where they need to be standing? Such as, Muneeb walks slowly with a drag by exiting the room but when returning back, he be walking very quickly and with ease… to where exactly he should be standing without stumble upon any object or a person.

iv – Similarly, Kulsoom first time makes an entry on stage as Nelo. She is an ex-lover of Abbas and most probably lived with him at same apartment so therefore she is aware how the room is decorated with furniture etc. And now she has returned after a long time where in the room there are already several other characters as well. So, it’s a wonder that how can one enter quietly and with ease the room although there is absence of light. Miraculously, Nelo comes and stands in between Abbas & Khurdam where her ex-boyfriend recognizes her by only touching her hair!

v – Nelo’s character was a lack of taste and was under developed.

vi – When Khurdam hears the news that of engagement, his upset is understandable and very amusing but the way his friend kept touching and hugging him to calm down, gave a double meaning altogether. Whether it was intentional or no? The play doesn’t clarify it.

vii – As for direction, it’s quite strange to see that when Nelo is throwing wine while standing upstairs, Abul Hasan is already ducking. The question is that if the room is in complete darkness, then how does he know from where the wine is thrown at and how much he needs to duck to save himself?

viii – For a person with an army background, Aamir Naqvi as Abdul Hasan the Colonel surely needs a similar makeover. Also, for Nelo’s open hair, the makeup & hair styling department should had done a better job in representing these stars on-stage.

ix – For a family-oriented play, many things were not adapted from the original play; which is quite disappointing in the long run.

 

+ Overall
Although, Bijli, Pyar Aur Aba Jan falls short of expectations… yet this play did however make many people entertain with some interesting performances.

 

Rate: 2.0 out of 5 stars

Feature Length Films

Mr. Khan’s Review on ‘Fan’ (2016)

Mr. Khan's Reviews

A review on Bollywood Action thriller feature length film, ‘Fan’ (2016). The Production House and its Distributor is Yash Raj Films.

 

+ Crew

  • Directed by Maneesh Sharma
  • Cinematography by Manu Anand
  • Written by Girish Kohli Habib Faisal and Maneesh Sharma
  • Edited by Namrata Rao
  • Produced by Aditya Chopra

 

 

+Note

Fan’s original idea was conceived by Sharma in 2006 and recited the story to Chopra, who advised him against the challenging project for his directorial debut. In the same year, Yash Chopra read it to Khan, who expressed interest in being part of the project. The project was revived in late 2013, and was completed by November 2015.

The film was heavily marketed; after several delays, it was released internationally on 15 April 2016. Although it was huge box office success (overseas) and opened to positive reviews from critics, who praised Khan’s performance especially but criticized the editing and the loosely written script. At the 63rd Filmfare Awards, Fan received the Filmfare Award for Best Special Effects.

Fan is a ‘Song-Less’ film; a soundtrack album consisting of a marketing song in different languages was composed by Vishal–Shekhar and the original score was done by Andrea Guerra.

 

 

+ Main Cast

  1. Shah Rukh Khan as Aryan Khanna / Gaurav Chandna
  2. Shriya Pilgaonkar as Neha
  3. Waluscha de Sousa as Bela Khanna
  4. Yogendra Tiku as Gaurav’s father

 

xxxxxxx

 

+ Supportive Cast

  1. Deepika Amin as Gaurav’s mother
  2. Sayani Gupta as Sunaina
  3. Amarjeet Singh as Show Host
  4. Taher Shabbir as Sid Kapoor

 

 

+ Plot

Gaurav Chandna, who is a very look-alike and obsessive fan of film star, Aryan Khanna. One day, he beats up a rival actor to appease Aryan, but is instead punished by his idol. Now being badly heartbroken, ‘Gaurav the fan’ plans on taking revenge.

 

 

+ High Points

i – Shahrukh Khan as Aryan Khanna / Gaurav Chandna. He was clearly committed to give ‘A’ graded performance and showed glimpse, signs of ‘Method Acting’ into his dual roles. To portray the character of Gaurav, any praises would fall short on playing an emotional filled, dynamic performance.

ii – The special effects and makeup department were able to convince the audience of his character’s mere difference in terms of facial and physique.

iii – Though there were still some loop holes in the story but yes, the first half is interesting enough to give a ‘Go’ and watch the film.

iv – This would surely be labelled as one of the daring films, Shahrukh Khan has done on big screen.

 

 

+ Low Points

i – The second half of the film is a huge disappointment. I mean, you would really say to yourself… ‘What happened? Why they made a more convincing film in the first half but an over the top film in the second’? In the second half, the film is filled with mindless action, thriller taken from crappy spy films and a disappointing end.

ii – It is one of those rare films where there is no protagonist’s love interest (lead) or song in a Bollywood film. It means, the BTS team would need a very different approach and a strategy to attract the audience to watch their film with great interest. But were they able to pull this off as ‘Promised’? ‘Hmm… nah’!

iii – There were numerous times where the film went off the track or filled with most illogical moments.

iv – Since there were no songs and the film were not really entertaining as Shahrukh Khan’s films are, which is why you would find yourself bored.

 

 

 + Overall

After watching hat-trick of Shahrukh Khan’s films released in a sequence, Fan is still much better film in terms of performance and entertainment.

 

Rate: 2.50 out of 5 stars

 

Feature Length Films

Mr. Khan’s Review on ‘Dilwale’ (2015)

Mr. Khan's Reviews

A review on Bollywood Rom-Action feature length film, ‘Dilwale’ aka The Big Hearted (2015). The Production Houses are Rohit Shetty Productions and Red Chilies Entertainment who happens to be its Distributors also.

 

 

+ Crew

  • Directed & Co-Produced by Rohit Shetty
  • Cinematography by Dudley
  • Written by Yunus Sajawal and Sajid-Farhad
  • Edited by Bunty Nagi
  • Produced by Gauri Khan

 

 

+ Note

Dilwale is a second film of Rohit Shetty starring Shahrukh Khan, after the successful box collection of Chennai Express (2013). In Pakistan, Hum TV sponsored the film as well in some countries abroad. A huge marketing campaign was covered to promote the film, where lead super stars, Shahrukh and Kajol were invited to many lead interviews’ shows.

This film has grossed INR 408.15 crore (US$57 million) worldwide, becoming the second highest-grossing film starring Shah Rukh Khan after Chennai Express, also directed by Shetty. Dilwale is also the highest-grossing film starring Shah Rukh Khan in overseas markets. The song “Gerua” also performed well in the charts. While the film’s domestic box office performance in India was disappointing, it was an overseas success, the sixth-highest-grossing Indian film overseas.

 

 

+ Main Cast

  1. Shah Rukh Khan as Raj Randhir Bakshi / Kaali
  2. Varun Dhawan as Veer Randhir Bakshi
  3. Kajol as Meera Dev Malik
  4. Kriti Sanon as Ishita Dev Malik
  5. Boman Irani as King
  6. Johnny Lever as Mani Bhai
  7. Sanjay Mishra as Oscar Bhai
  8. Varun Sharma as Sidhu

 

xxxxxxx

 

+ Supportive Cast

  1. Chetna Pande as Jenny, Sidhu’s girlfriend
  2. Mukesh Tiwari as Shakti, Sidhu’s brother
  3. Pankaj Tripathi as Anwar
  4. Vinod Khanna as Randhir Bakshi
  5. Kabir Bedi as Dev Malik
  6. Nawab Shah as Raghav, Malik’s right-hand

 

 

+ Plot

Unknown to Veer, his elder brother, Raj has a secret identity who is forced to reveal once the past enemies’ clash with him again.

 

 

+ High Points

I – The superstars, Shahrukh & Kajol looked very beautiful, glamorous even at this age.

ii – Songs in the film are just okay at best.

iii – There are few really wonderful locations to watch where the shooting for songs and scenes had taken place.

 

 

+ Low Points

i – Let’s just say one needs to store his brain in locker before watching this film. Rohit Shetty must have said ‘Hey, I have lots of cash on my hands although no story with cheesy dialogues but I could show some really cool cars with beautiful scenarios and hire two one of the top-notch actors to promo the film where public would watch it anyway due to these two superstars in lead roles.

ii – The twist in the film which people claimed to be unpredictable, happens to be so predictable that one would expect from these kind of Bollywood films. Meera parks the car and walks with such a distance to Raj that it takes forever for her to reach him. I remember watching and saying to myself ‘Malir se aa rahi hai jo ithna waqt lag raha hai’ (‘Is she coming from Malir which is why she is taking that long’)?

iii – Whatever story / plot people claimed to have in this film, ended in the first ten minutes. After that, they have just dragged the film as far as they could.

iv – Two great actors Shahrukh & Kajol talent has been wasted in this story less film.

v – Some of the scenes are taken frame by frame from popular action films such as Mission Impossible 2 (2000).

vi – It was extremely hard for me to watch the film without a yawn or a serious face.

vii – The two new co-actors acting was just okay while their part of scenes was not interesting at all to watch.

viii – There is hardly any character development of the four lead actors in a film filled with unnecessary action scenes, especially the end.

ix – The role of Boman Irani is very useless.

 

 

+ Overall

Dilwale is fantastic film to watch after you have taken heavy load of drugs.

 

 

Rate: 0.50 out of 5 stars

Feature Length Films

Mr. Khan’s Review on ‘Deadpool 1’ (2016)

Mr. Khan's Reviews

A review on Hollywood Marvel Comics feature length film, ‘Deadpool 1’ (2016). The Distributor is 20th Century Fox while it is Edited by Julian Clarke.

 

 

+ Production Houses

  • Marvel Entertainment
  • Kinberg Genre
  • The Donners’ Company
  • TSG Entertainment

 

 

+ Crew

  • Directed by Tim Miller
  • Cinematography by Ken Seng
  • Written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick
  • Music by Tom Holkenborg
  • Produced by Simon Kinberg, Ryan Reynolds and Lauren Shuler Donner

 

 

 

+ Note

Deadpool is created by Fabian Nicieza & Rob Liefeld.  For the development of a Deadpool film starring Reynolds began in February 2004, before he went on to play the character in X-Men Origins: Wolverine in 2009. Reese and Wernick were hired for a spin off in 2010, and worked with Reynolds to more faithfully adapt the character (including his fourth wall breaking) after the portrayal in Wolverine was criticized for not doing so. Miller was hired in 2011 for his directorial debut, and an enthusiastic response to leaked test footage he created with Reynolds led to a green-light from Fox in 2014.

The film achieved both financial and critical success. It earned over $783 million against a $58 million budget, breaking numerous records: it became the highest-grossing R-rated film, the highest-grossing X-Men film, and the ninth-highest-grossing 2016 film. Critics praised Reynolds’ performance, the film’s style and faithfulness to the comics, and its action sequences. Some detractors criticized the plot as formulaic as well as the sheer number of jokes in the film. It also received numerous awards and nominations, including two Critics’ Choice Awards and two Golden Globe nominations. A sequel, Deadpool 2, was released in May 2018.

 

 

 

+ Main Cast

  1. Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson / Deadpool
  2. Morena Baccarin as Vanessa
  3. Ed Skrein as Francis Freeman / Ajax
  4. J. Miller as Weasel
  5. Gina Carano as Angel Dust
  6. Brianna Hildebrand as Negasonic Teenage Warhead
  7. Leslie Uggams portrays Blind Al
  8. Stefan Kapičić as Colossus (Voice)
  9. Karan Soni as Dopinder / Taxi Driver

 

 

 

+ Plot

Wade Wilson is a dishonorably discharged special forces operative working as a mercenary when he meets prostitute Vanessa. Soon they become romantically involved, and later she accepts his marriage proposal. However, Wilson is soon diagnosed with terminal cancer, and leaves her without warning. Afterwards, he starts hunting down the man who gave him mutant abilities along with severely disfiguring his body, during the experimental session Wilson had agreed to.

 

 

+ High Points

i – Deadpool has made its own market in front of the strong line-up of the existing successful franchise, X-Men with its spin-off. The critics and audience gave a very positive response to it and are anxiously waiting for its sequels to the cinemas. This is one role which Ryan Reynolds is born to play.

ii – The real flaw of the character is that although he is all too powerful for the villain to fight with, but the character himself is too careless and doesn’t take situation on hand seriously, which gives the upper hand for his enemies to make the first strike.

iii – Most of the people, including comic book fans are very pleased to see a R18 film to which the developers keep the film true to its theme of violence and sex-based jokes as its comics are written with.

iv – The story starts off with a comical but loving relationship between Wilson and Vanessa who meets her one night at a bar. The importance is given to their relationship to whether Vanessa would accept him back or not after becoming Deadpool.

v – The screenplay is engaging enough to pull the audience towards the film with interest.

vi – The characters such as Weasel and Vanessa are very well written. They give a strong support to the main lead.

vii – The film does have nice laughs, smiles here and there with several hidden jokes where most of the audience could not get them.

viii – There were many interesting references made on real life celebrities and some on super hero movies.

ix – Unlike comics, Ajax and Angel Dust are very different to what we are shown in the film. Nevertheless, they able to bring a strong conflict for the prankster, anti-hero, Deadpool to his knees. Well, not literally. As long as Wilson has not paid proper attention to how to deal with the antagonist till, he meets couple of X-Men characters.

 

 

 

+ Low Points

i – It was fun watching Ryan Reynolds in super hero lead role again but can’t say I enjoyed as much as crowd did. The crowd was laughing at every joke there were including the minor ones. Most of the jokes were sex based,

ii – There are scenes where it showed how Dead Pool came to be super hero. Those were high graphic gore ones. Really disgusting to watch even at R18.

iii – Although I am huge fan of comic book films but I find other far greater films of Marvel and some of the Fox studio than this.

 

 

+ Overall

I believe Deadpool sequels would have more potential on creative humor than this one had.

 

 

Rate: 3.25 out of 5 stars

 

Tele-Films

Mr. Khan’s Review on ‘Thanda Garam: Eik Saath’ (2016)

Mr. Khan's Reviews

A review on a Pakistani Comic thesis film, ‘Thanda Garam: Eik Saath’ (2016). The Production Company is SZABIST (students film production) while its Distributor is Rivayat Pictures.

 

+ Crew
I. Editing, Written, Directed & Produced by Mirza Shuja Uddin Beg
II. Cinematography by Affan Ahmed Khan
III. Sound Mixing and Makeup & Hair Styling by Altamash Ali Banani
IV. Co-Sound Mixing & Co-Edited by Rahim Aziz Sajwani

 

+ Note
Thanda Garam is a hilarious farce film where wrong people at wrong time are present in one house. A similar type of technique is famously used in the classic comedy film ‘Boeing, Boeing’ (1965) of Tony Curtis & Jerry Lewis. This thesis adviser is Zeeshan Haider while its Assistant Director is Amna Tariq and the 1st Unit Director is Sumair.

 

+ Cast
1. Kaleem Ghouri as Khumaar
2. Saad Zameer Fareedi as Bhala Bhai
3. Shabana Hassan as Laila/Laiba
4. Jahan Zaib Naviwala as Hijir
5. Zeeshan Ahmed Khan as (Voice Cameo)

 

+ Plot
In a very difficult situation, Khumaar has able to convince his love interest Laila to meet him at his home all alone to spend some ‘Special’ time together. But due to sudden unfortunate events, his close friend Hijr forcefully enters his home as he needs an urgent quick shower to get ready and reach to a ceremony (Valima) where Hijr’s crush is also coming. While all this is going on, Khumaar’s neighbor Bhala Bhai also drops by and insists to watch his favorite drama series on Khumaar’s TV since his own TV is not working.

 

+ High Points
i. First & foremost the script which is written by the director. In many places he could had used open sexual reference-based jokes which he did not but rather used a more double / hidden meaning. Nowhere would I say that the jokes were vulgar or should not to be watched by mass audience.

ii. Saad Zameer Fareedi, {Wa Puthr! Tu To Cha Gaya} means this actor performed so brilliantly and intelligently that I would personally recommend him to any TV or Film Maker out there. This guy is the ‘Real Deal’, interesting to watch whenever his scenes were shown in the film. The director told me that he barely discussed with Saad what to do according to his character wants. He further added that the actor himself is so well trained and naturally talented that Saad knew exactly how to deliver the essential acting chops in able to gain audience attention towards him. Whenever Saad entered the frame as Bhala Bhai, the audience had huge smiles on their faces.

iii. It was a real challenge for the director that how he would be able to pull this off without raising his film ratings for targeted audience. At best I could say its a PG-13 film. Anyone who watches this film, would highly praise on its script analysis and in directorial POV that is how to keep the audience engaged throughout the film.

Mostly people, amateur film makers think or belief that its easy to make people laugh which in reality its not! Poor comedy films would usually use the help of random abusive remarks, stereo types, unrelated fight scenes, toilet or open sexual humor to make the film look like a good comedy film. In this film however, the sexual humor is carefully controlled by the director and not to present in open or explicit manner.

iv. Shabana Hassan really nails her character. She is a good experienced actress in theatre plays and films. Here the kind of love interest that she was told to perform, she did it with such enthusiasm that it was clearly shown on screen. The chemistry between Kaleem & her is comical and fun to watch.

 

+ Low Points
i. The art direction and the location (house) that the BTS team used to shoot worked against the main character’s status and personality.

ii. I do not agree with the director’s view on the film’s end, how he finishes it off. I believe it could have been better, brighter as almost the entire film was based on.

iii. The color correction in some scenes did not fit in properly. The transfer of the next scenes could have improved, sharper cuts.

iv. There were several movie mistakes in the film such as in one scene Bhala Bhai is standing next to the room’s door telling Khumar go and talk to Hijr in the lounge and in the very next scene, we see that Bhala Bhai is already sitting in the lounge where Khumar is talking with his friend Hijr.

 

+ Overall
Where many new film makers have failed to come up with genuine, creative jokes, it is Thanda Garam who has succeeded.

 

Rate: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars